Please watch out for good resources (books as well as online sources) about publishing and the more practical aspects of being a writer and send them to me, either via email or via PM on Absolute Write.

Feel free to suggest FAQ topics or categories, as well as links to posts and threads on AW itself.

You can post questions or suggestions here in this thread or PM them to me or MacAllister or CaoPaux or Old Hack, or evilrooster.

Please only PM ONE of us. You don't want us cross-posting over each other; it could bring down the entire Internet.

I'd like to see a full description of the publishing process from acceptance to backlisting. All the players at every point, what they do. I saw this on an agent's website once and THOUGHT I bookmarked it, but didn't!

I'd like to see an FAQ on the differences between publishing/submitting in the UK and the US (and any other markets we can find information on). Stuff like - what's the difference between a query and a covering letter? This agent is recommending I use an editing service like Cornerstones, are they trying to scam me?

I haven't looked for this yet, so it may already exist, but do we have any kind of commonly used terms with definitions? Especially in self-publishing, I've seen indie, self-published, direct-to-reader all used interchangeably. Also, traditional publisher and trade publisher and book formats (e-book, paperback, etc.). Many times there is confusion when someone is referring to self-publishing when what they have written is e-publishing. That one really sparks a quick response. I don't know if it would help to have a list of definitions, but it seems when threads get derailed due to wording issues, it would be nice to be able to simply direct someone to the common words/definition page rather than having a back-and-forth exchange time and time again.

ETA: I see there is one, but I think I'm talking about something a bit different in that I didn't see any of the terms I mentioned above in Janet Reid's article. Most of her references seemed to be geared toward trade publishing terms (although certainly not all of the words were specifically for trade publishing only).

I'd like to see a full description of the publishing process from acceptance to backlisting. All the players at every point, what they do. I saw this on an agent's website once and THOUGHT I bookmarked it, but didn't!

This.

BUT first I'd like a map or step-by-step outline of the publishing process from the time a WIP is completed to the time it's accepted. I THINK it goes like this: 1. Finished MS. 2. Synposis 3. Query Letter (Hell) 4. Agent/Publisher research 5. Submission

BUT I could be wrong. And under Submission would come subheadings . . . I think . . . maybe?

I just wanted to suggest a very good resource on contracts. Kristen Nelson's Agenting 101 blog posts lead you from deal points when you get an offer through specific clauses and language in the contract--more clearly than anything else I have read online. She points out specific terms for rights, royalties, payouts, etc. I recommend this resource more than anything else listed. Wish I had seen this before getting my first offer.

BUT first I'd like a map or step-by-step outline of the publishing process from the time a WIP is completed to the time it's accepted. I THINK it goes like this: 1. Finished MS. 2. Synposis 3. Query Letter (Hell) 4. Agent/Publisher research 5. Submission

BUT I could be wrong. And under Submission would come subheadings . . . I think . . . maybe?

Thing is, that process isn't always the same. Some agents want one thing, some another. For instance, there might be a synopsis and there might not. There's really no need to research publishers until you are actually offered a deal. It would still be a good subject for a sticky, but in the meantime you could ask about that at the Ask the Agent forum.

I'm sticking this here because I think it's most relevant - but not sure. And maybe it's been covered but I couldn't think of the right search terms. Anyway...

Every time I see someone post a link to an article about writing, publishing, agents, etc, I wonder - how do they find these things? I've done some googling for blogs but there are thousands - so how do I know which ones to choose to follow (I've been running about 50/50 worthwhile versus junk so far)? And which publications are actually knowledgeable versus just attention-grabbing (I guess "news" type versus "this is my opinion" type)?

I'd like to be able to keep up with the latest discussions/articles/whatever, but I don't want to spend all my time on the 'net either, so I guess I'm wondering if there's a recommended list somewhere here (or if one could be developed) so we could keep up with things in a time-well-spent manner?

__________________Je suis Charlie

"It seems rather like wanting to be ... a writer, rather than wanting to write. It should be a by-product, not a thing in itself. Otherwise, it's just an ego trip." - Roger Zelazny

Since no one else is willing to share their secrets .... For the most part, I start with someone/thing I trust (i.e., Writer Beware Blogs!), and take note of who/what they link to, with further note of who/what they to, etc. Keeping within, say, three degrees of separation gives me a core list of the major who/what/where/why without becoming overwhelming.

__________________ICAO
---------Achievers strive for excellence. Perfectionists drive themselves to extinction. -- A Grapple A DayI've never known any trouble that an hour's reading didn't assuage. -- Charles DeSecondat

I would like to see eCub added to the list of useful publishing software. I use it for creating mobi and ePub files from HTML source, and i think it is the best available software for the DIY power user. It's also cross platform so it works on Mac, Windows, etc.

Sometimes it must be a terrible temptation to throw up your hands and say "FAQ it all!"

That said, a FAQ TOC might help the clueless newbies such as moi.

__________________
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Slight variations in grammar & spelling enhance its original character and are not to be seen as defects. Especially since Autocorrect has a mind of its own.